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Notes -
This exchange reminds me of an old poem by the Finland-Swede Bertel Gripenberg. I permit myself a very self-indulgent excursion.
Begär vad du vill, Salome, jag kan icke säga nej, och bad du om Döparens huvud, vid Gud, jag nekade ej! Vad äro himlens profeter mot jorden fagraste mö! En vink av din hand, Salome, och Döparen måste dö!
En Gud som vi icke känna, en himmel som ingen sett, och hotande ord som larma om straffet och helvetet, vem bytte väl ej all denna bedrägliga sagoskatt mot jordens skönaste kvinna och livets ljuvaste natt!
In my own rough and quick translation:
Ask what you wish, Salome, I cannot tell you no, and if you asked for the Baptist's head, by God, I'd make it so! What are the prophets of heaven to the fairest maiden of all! A sign of your hand, Salome, and the Baptist must fall!
A God we do not know, a heaven which none can tell, and darkened words that threaten us, with punishment and hell. Who would not give up all of this fraudulent fairy-tale gold, for the fairest women on Earth in sweetest pleasure-night to hold!
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